Merge pull request #3155 from MicrosoftDocs/main

Published main to live, Monday 5:00 PM IST, 03/17

Author: padmagit77

ATPDocs/manage-security-alerts.md

@@ -8,7 +8,7 @@ ms.topic: how-to
 # Investigate Defender for Identity security alerts in Microsoft Defender XDR
 
 > [!NOTE]
-> Defender for Identity is not designed to serve as an auditing or logging solution that captures every single operation or activity on the servers where the sensor is installed. It only captures the data required for its detection and recommendation mechanisms.
+> Defender for Identity isn't designed to serve as an auditing or logging solution that captures every single operation or activity on the servers where the sensor is installed. It only captures the data required for its detection and recommendation mechanisms.
 
 This article explains the basics of how to work with Microsoft Defender for Identity security alerts in [Microsoft Defender XDR](/microsoft-365/security/defender/overview-security-center).
 
@@ -87,7 +87,7 @@ On the right pane, you'll see the **Alert details**. Here you can see more detai
     You can also export the alert to an Excel file. To do this, select **Export.**
 
     > [!NOTE]
-    > In the Excel file, you now have two links available: **View in Microsoft Defender for Identity** and **View in Microsoft Defender XDR**. Each link will bring you to the relevant portal, and provide information about the alert there.
+    > Alert export option is limited to Microsoft Defender for Identity Alerts with the "aa" prefix, for more information refer to [XDR Alert Sources](https://learn.microsoft.com/defender-xdr/investigate-alerts?tabs=settings#alert-sources).
 
 ## Tuning alerts
 

ATPDocs/replace-entra-connect-default-admin.md

@@ -0,0 +1,44 @@
+---
+title:       'Security assessment: Replace Enterprise or Domain Admin account for Entra Connect AD DS Connector account'
+description: 'This report lists any Entra Connect AD DS Connector account that is an Enterprise Administrator or Domain Administrator.'
+author:      LiorShapiraa # GitHub alias
+ms.author:   Liorshapira # Microsoft alias
+# ms.prod:   microsoft-defender-for-identity
+ms.topic:    article
+ms.date:     03/16/2025
+---
+
+# Security assessment: Replace Enterprise or Domain Admin account for Entra Connect AD DS Connector account
+
+This article describes Microsoft Defender for Identity's Microsoft Entra Connect AD DS Connector account default admin security posture assessment report.
+
+> [!NOTE]
+> This security assessment will be available only if Microsoft Defender for Identity sensor is installed on servers running Microsoft Entra Connect services.
+
+## Why might using an Enterprise or Domain Admin account for the Microsoft Entra Connect AD DS Connector be a risk?
+
+Smart attackers often target Microsoft Entra Connect in on-premises environments due to the elevated privileges associated with its AD DS Connector account (typically created in Active Directory with the MSOL_ prefix). Using an **Enterprise Admin** or **Domain Admin** account for this purpose significantly increases the attack surface, as these accounts have broad control over the directory.
+
+Starting with [Entra Connect build 1.4.###.#](/entra/identity/hybrid/connect/reference-connect-accounts-permissions), Enterprise Admin and Domain Admin accounts can no longer be used as the AD DS Connector account. This best practice prevents over-privileging the connector account, reducing the risk of domain-wide compromise if the account is targeted by attackers. Organizations must now create or assign a lower-privileged account specifically for directory synchronization, ensuring better adherence to the principle of least privilege and protecting critical admin accounts.
+
+## How do I use this security assessment to improve my hybrid organizational security posture?
+
+1. Review the recommended action at[ https://security.microsoft.com/securescore?viewid=actions](https://security.microsoft.com/securescore?viewid=actions) for Replace Enterprise or Domain Admin account for Entra Connect AD DS Connector account.
+
+1. Review the exposed accounts and their group memberships. The list contains members of Domain/Enterprise Admins through direct and recursive membership.
+
+1. Perform one of the following actions:
+
+   - Remove MSOL_ user account user from privileged groups, ensuring it retains the necessary permissions to function as the Entra Connect Connector account.
+   
+   - Change the Entra Connect AD DS Connector account (MSOL_) to a lower-privileged account. 
+   
+> [!NOTE]
+> While assessments are updated in near real time, scores and statuses are updated every 24 hours. While the list of impacted entities is updated within a few minutes of your implementing the recommendations, the status may still take time until it's marked as **Completed**.
+
+## Next steps
+
+- Learn more about [Microsoft Secure score]().
+
+- Learn more about [Defender for Identity Sensor for Microsoft Entra Connect](https://aka.ms/MdiSensorForMicrosoftEntraConnectInstallation)
+

ATPDocs/security-assessment.md

@@ -38,24 +38,30 @@ Defender for Identity security posture assessments have five key categories. Eac
 ## Access Defender for Identity security posture assessments
 
 > [!NOTE]
-You must have a Defender for Identity license to view Defender for Identity security posture assessments in Microsoft Secure Score.
-While *certificate template* assessments are available to all customers with AD CS installed in their environment, *certificate authority* assessments are available only to customers who have installed a sensor on an AD CS server. For more information, see [Configuring sensors for AD FS and AD CS](deploy/active-directory-federation-services.md).
+> You must have a Defender for Identity license to view Defender for Identity security posture assessments in Microsoft Secure Score.
+> 
+> Additionally, while *certificate template* assessments are available to all customers with AD CS installed in their environment, *certificate authority* assessments are available only to customers who have installed a sensor on an AD CS server.   
+>
+> Hybrid security recommendations will be available only if Microsoft Defender for Identity sensor is installed on servers running Microsoft Entra Connect services.  
+>
+> For more information, see [Configuring sensors for AD FS, AD CS and Entra Connect.](https://aka.ms/DeployMdiSensorOnYourIdentityInfrastructure)
 
 **To access identity security posture assessments**:
 
 1. Open the [Microsoft Secure Score dashboard](https://security.microsoft.com/securescore).
 1. Select the **Recommended actions** tab. You can search for a particular recommended action, or filter the results (for example, by the category **Identity**).
 
     [![Recommended actions.](media/recommended-actions.png)](media/recommended-actions.png#lightbox)
-
+   
 1. For more details, select the assessment.
 
     [![Select the assessment.](media/select-assessment.png)](media/select-assessment.png#lightbox)
-
+   
 [!INCLUDE [secure-score-note](../includes/secure-score-note.md)]
 
 
 ## Next steps
 
 - [Learn more about Microsoft Secure Score](/microsoft-365/security/defender/microsoft-secure-score)
-- [Check out the Defender for Identity forum!](<https://aka.ms/MDIcommunity>)
+- [Check out the Defender for Identity forum!](https://aka.ms/MDIcommunity)
+

ATPDocs/toc.yml

@@ -1,291 +1,4 @@
-items:
-- name: Microsoft Defender for Identity Documentation
-  href: index.yml
-- name: Overview
-  items:
-  - name: Welcome to Defender for Identity
-    href: what-is.md
-  - name: What's new?
-    href: whats-new.md
-  - name: Deploy and monitor for Zero Trust
-    href: zero-trust.md
-  - name: System architecture
-    href: architecture.md
-  - name: Defender for Identity in the Microsoft Defender portal
-    href: microsoft-365-security-center-mdi.md
-  - name: Defender for Identity for US Government
-    href: us-govt-gcc-high.md
-- name: Deploy
-  expanded: true
-  items:
-  - name: Quick installation guide
-    href: deploy/quick-installation-guide.md
-  - name: Pilot and deploy Microsoft Defender XDR
-    href: /defender-xdr/pilot-deploy-overview?toc=/defender-for-identity/toc.json&bc=/defender-for-identity/breadcrumb/toc.json
-  - name: Defender for Identity deployment overview
-    href: deploy/deploy-defender-identity.md
-  - name: Plan and prepare
-    items:
-    - name: Defender for Identity prerequisites
-      href: deploy/prerequisites.md
-    - name: Plan your Defender for Identity capacity
-      href: deploy/capacity-planning.md
-  - name: Deploy Defender for Identity
-    items:
-    - name: Configure connectivity settings
-      href: deploy/configure-proxy.md
-      displayName: proxy
-    - name: Test connectivity settings
-      href: deploy/test-connectivity.md
-    - name: Download the Defender for Identity sensor
-      href: deploy/download-sensor.md
-    - name: Install the Defender for Identity sensor
-      href: deploy/install-sensor.md
-    - name: Configure the Defender for Identity sensor
-      href: deploy/configure-sensor-settings.md
-  - name: Post-deployment configuration
-    items:
-    - name: Configure event collection
-      items:
-      - name: Event collection overview 
-        href: deploy/event-collection-overview.md
-      - name: Configure audit policies for Windows event logs
-        href: deploy/configure-windows-event-collection.md
-    - name: Roles and permissions
-      href: role-groups.md
-    - name: Configure a Directory Service account
-      items:
-      - name: Overview
-        href: deploy/directory-service-accounts.md
-        displayName: Directory Service Account, DSA
-      - name: Configure a DSA with a gMSA
-        href: deploy/create-directory-service-account-gmsa.md
-    - name: Configure remote calls to SAM
-      href: deploy/remote-calls-sam.md
-  - name: Extra deployment scenarios
-    items:
-    - name: Install on Microsoft AD FS / AD CS / Entra Connect servers
-      href: deploy/active-directory-federation-services.md
-    - name: Configure action accounts
-      href: deploy/manage-action-accounts.md
-    - name: Deploy for multiple Active Directory forests
-      href: deploy/multi-forest.md
-    - name: Configure a standalone sensor
-      items:
-      - name: Prerequisites for a standalone sensor
-        href: deploy/prerequisites-standalone.md
-      - name: Configure port mirroring
-        href: deploy/configure-port-mirroring.md
-        displayName: standalone
-      - name: Configure Windows Event Forwarding
-        href: deploy/configure-event-forwarding.md
-        displayName: standalone
-      - name: Listen for SIEM events
-        href: deploy/configure-event-collection.md
-        displayName: standalone
-    - name: Activate Defender for Identity capabilities on your domain controller
-      href: deploy/activate-capabilities.md
-- name: Manage
-  items:
-  - name: View the ITDR dashboard
-    href: dashboard.md
-  - name: View and manage health issues
-    href: health-alerts.md
-  - name: Defender for Identity reports
-    href: reports.md
-  - name: Settings
-    items:
-    - name: About page
-      href: settings-about.md
-    - name: Manage and update sensors
-      href: sensor-settings.md
-    - name: Uninstall a sensor
-      href: uninstall-sensor.md
-    - name: VPN integration
-      href: vpn-integration.md
-    - name: Set entity tags
-      href: entity-tags.md
-    - name: Configure detection exclusions
-      href: exclusions.md
-    - name: Automated response exclusions
-      href: automated-response-exclusions.md
-    - name: Email and syslog notifications
-      href: notifications.md
-    - name: Adjust alert thresholds
-      href: advanced-settings.md
-      displayName: advanced settings
-  - name: Troubleshooting
-    items:
-    - name: Troubleshooting known issues
-      href: troubleshooting-known-issues.md
-    - name: Troubleshoot using logs
-      href: troubleshooting-using-logs.md
-- name: Investigate and respond
-  items:
-  - name: Assets
-    items:
-    - name: Identity inventory
-      href: identity-inventory.md
-    - name: Investigate assets
-      href: investigate-assets.md
-  - name: Lateral movement paths
-    items:
-    - name: Understand and investigate lateral movement paths
-      href: understand-lateral-movement-paths.md
-  - name: Alerts
-    items:
-    - name: Alerts overview
-      href: alerts-overview.md
-    - name: Understanding security alerts
-      href: understanding-security-alerts.md
-    - name: Investigate security alerts
-      href: manage-security-alerts.md
-    - name: Monitored activities
-      href: monitored-activities.md
-    - name: Understanding Network Name Resolution (NNR)
-      href: nnr-policy.md
-    - name: Reconnaissance and discovery alerts
-      href: reconnaissance-discovery-alerts.md
-    - name: Persistence and privilege escalation alerts
-      href: persistence-privilege-escalation-alerts.md
-    - name: Credential access alerts
-      href: credential-access-alerts.md
-    - name: Lateral movement alerts
-      href: lateral-movement-alerts.md
-    - name: Other alerts
-      href: other-alerts.md
-  - name: Remediation
-    items:
-    - name: Remediation actions
-      href: remediation-actions.md
-  - name: Security posture
-    items:
-     - name: Overview
-       href: security-assessment.md
-     - name: Hybrid security
-       items:
-       - name: Change password for Microsoft Entra seamless SSO account
-         href: change-password-microsoft-entra-seamless-single-sign-on.md
-         displayName: Microsoft Entra connect
-       - name: Rotate password for Microsoft Entra Connect connector account
-         href: rotate-password-microsoft-entra-connect.md
-         displayName: Microsoft Entra Connect
-       - name: Remove unnecessary replication permissions for Microsoft Entra Connect connector account
-         href: remove-replication-permissions-microsoft-entra-connect.md
-     - name: Identity infrastructure
-       items:
-       - name: Built-in Active Directory Guest account is enabled
-         href: built-in-active-directory-guest-account-is-enabled.md
-       - name: Change Domain Controller computer account old password
-         href: domain-controller-account-password-change.md
-       - name: Domain controllers with Print spooler service available assessment
-         href: security-assessment-print-spooler.md
-       - name: Remove local admins on identity assets
-         href: security-assessment-remove-local-admins.md   
-       - name: Unmonitored domain controllers
-         href: security-assessment-unmonitored-domain-controller.md
-       - name: Unsecure domain configurations
-         href: security-assessment-unsecure-domain-configurations.md
-     - name: Certificates
-       items: 
-        - name: Enforce encryption for RPC certificate enrollment interface  (ESC8)
-          href: security-assessment-enforce-encryption-rpc.md
-        - name: Insecure ADCS certificate enrollment IIS endpoints (ESC8)
-          href: security-assessment-insecure-adcs-certificate-enrollment.md
-        - name: Misconfigured certificate templates owner  (ESC4)
-          href: security-assessment-edit-misconfigured-owner.md
-        - name: Misconfigured Certificate Authority ACL  (ESC7)
-          href: security-assessment-edit-misconfigured-ca-acl.md
-        - name: Misconfigured certificate templates ACL (ESC4)
-          href: security-assessment-edit-misconfigured-acl.md
-        - name: Misconfigured enrollment agent certificate template  (ESC3)
-          href: security-assessment-edit-misconfigured-enrollment-agent.md    
-        - name: Overly permissive certificate template with privileged EKU (ESC2)
-          href: security-assessment-edit-overly-permissive-template.md
-        - name: Prevent Certificate Enrollment with arbitrary Application Policies (ESC15)
-          href: prevent-certificate-enrollment-esc15.md
-        - name: Prevent requests for certificates valid for arbitrary users  (ESC1)
-          href: security-assessment-prevent-users-request-certificate.md
-        - name: Vulnerable Certificate Authority setting (ESC6)
-          href: security-assessment-edit-vulnerable-ca-setting.md
-     - name: Group policy 
-       items: 
-        - name: GPO assigns unprivileged identities to local groups with elevated privileges
-          href: gpo-assigns-unprivileged-identities.md
-        - name: GPO can be modified by unprivileged accounts
-          href: modified-unprivileged-accounts-gpo.md
-        - name: Reversible passwords found in GPOs
-          href: reversible-passwords-group-policy.md
-     - name: Accounts
-       items: 
-         - name: Accounts with non-default Primary Group ID
-           href: accounts-with-non-default-pgid.md 
-         - name: Admin SDHolder permissions
-           href: security-assessment-remove-suspicious-access-rights.md
-         - name: Change password for krbtgt account
-           href: change-password-krbtgt-account.md
-         - name: Change password of built-in domain Administrator account
-           href: change-password-domain-administrator-account.md
-         - name: Dormant entities in sensitive groups assessment
-           href: security-assessment-dormant-entities.md
-         - name: DCSync permissions
-           href: security-assessment-non-admin-accounts-dcsync.md
-         - name: Ensure privileged accounts are not delegated
-           href: ensure-privileged-accounts-with-sensitive-flag.md
-         - name: Entities exposing credentials in clear text assessment
-           href: security-assessment-clear-text.md
-         - name: LAPS usage assessment
-           href: security-assessment-laps.md
-         - name: Riskiest lateral movement paths
-           href: security-assessment-riskiest-lmp.md
-         - name: Unsecure Kerberos delegation assessment
-           href: security-assessment-unconstrained-kerberos.md
-         - name: Unsecure SID History attributes
-           href: security-assessment-unsecure-sid-history-attribute.md
-         - name: Unsecure account attributes
-           href: security-assessment-unsecure-account-attributes.md
-         - name: Weak cipher usage assessment
-           href: security-assessment-weak-cipher.md
-- name: Reference
-  items:
-  - name: Operations guide
-    items:
-    - name: Overview
-      displayName: operations guide
-      href: ops-guide/ops-guide.md
-    - name: Daily activities
-      href: ops-guide/ops-guide-daily.md
-    - name: Weekly activities
-      href: ops-guide/ops-guide-weekly.md
-    - name: Monthly activities
-      href: ops-guide/ops-guide-monthly.md
-    - name: Quarterly / Ad-hoc activities
-      href: ops-guide/ops-guide-quarterly.md
-  - name: Frequently asked questions
-    href: technical-faq.yml
-  - name: SIEM log reference
-    href: cef-format-sa.md
-  - name: PowerShell
-    href: /powershell/defenderforidentity/overview-defenderforidentity
-  - name: Support
-    href: support.md
-  - name: Defender for Identity data security and privacy
-    href: privacy-compliance.md
-  - name: Security baseline
-    href: /security/benchmark/azure/baselines/defender-for-identity-security-baseline?toc=/defender-for-identity/toc.json
-  - name: What's new archive
-    href: whats-new-archive.md
-  - name: Migrate from Advanced Threat Analytics (ATA)
-    href: migrate-from-ata-overview.md
-- name: Microsoft Defender XDR Docs
-  items:
-  - name: Microsoft Defender XDR
-    href: /microsoft-365/security/defender/
-  - name: Microsoft Defender for Office 365
-    href: /microsoft-365/security/office-365-security/
-  - name: Microsoft Defender for Endpoint
-    href: /microsoft-365/security/defender-endpoint/
-  - name: Microsoft Defender for Cloud Apps
-    href: /cloud-app-security/
-  - name: Microsoft Defender Vulnerability Management
-    href: /microsoft-365/security/defender-vulnerability-management/
+- name: Replace Enterprise or Domain Admin account for Entra Connect AD DS
+    Connector account
+  href: replace-entra-connect-default-admin.md
+  displayName: MDI